Shinzen High School, Saitama.
9:15 AM.
The Nekoma bus had barely come to a halt before the doors hissed open. Ryuu stepped out, squinting at the bright Saitama sun and letting out a long, loud yawn that probably echoed across the entire campus.
"Man, my legs are asleep," Ryuu muttered, shaking out his limbs. He looked over at the gym. "Think they have any of those vending machines with the good peach milk here?"
"We're here to train, Ryuu, not go on a snack tour," Yaku said, thumping him on the shoulder as he walked past.
"I can do both! Multitasking is the mark of a champion, Yaku-san!"
Before Ryuu could defend his honor, a familiar, boisterous roar erupted from the gym entrance.
"RYUUUUUU!"
Chapter 59: The Shinzen Circus
Shinzen High School, Saitama. 9:15 AM.
The Nekoma bus had barely come to a halt before the doors hissed open. Ryuu stepped out, squinting at the bright Saitama sun and letting out a long, loud yawn that probably echoed across the entire campus.
"Man, my legs are asleep," Ryuu muttered, shaking out his limbs. He looked over at the gym, his eyes already searching for the nearest refreshment. "Think they have any of those vending machines with the good peach milk here?"
"We're here to work, Ryuu, not go on a snack tour," Yaku said, thumping him on the shoulder as he walked past with a heavy equipment bag.
"I can do both! Multitasking is the mark of a champion, Yaku-san!"
Before Ryuu could defend his honor further, a familiar, boisterous roar erupted from the gymnasium entrance.
"RYUUUUUU!"
Bokuto Koutarou came charging across the pavement like a runaway train. Ryuu barely had time to brace himself before the Fukurodani Ace skidded to a halt inches from his face, gripping Ryuu's shoulders so hard his sneakers squeaked against the asphalt.
"Whoa! Easy there, Bokuto-san! I know you missed me, but watch the personal bubble!" Ryuu laughed, steadying the older boy.
"You won! You actually won!" Bokuto shouted, his eyes wide and shimmering with pure excitement. "I watched the final on my phone! That last shot—WHAM! You were like, whoosh and then snap! I tried it in practice and hit myself in the face!"
Ryuu laugh, slapping Bokuto's arm.
"You hit yourself in the face? That sounds about right. Don't worry, I'll show you the secret for the low price of three meat buns."
"Deal!"
Akaashi walked up behind them, looking as tired as ever. "Congratulations, Gojou-san. Bokuto-san hasn't stopped talking about a rematch since the broadcast ended."
"Thanks, Akaashi. Good luck keeping him from jumping into the rafters today."
...
10:00 AM.
The Karasuno bus finally pulled in while Nekoma was finishing their first set of drills. Ryuu was standing by the net, tossing a ball up and catching it, watching the familiar faces filter in.
He noticed the gap immediately.
"Yo, Daichi-san!" Ryuu called out, leaning casually against the net pole. "The bus look a little empty or is it just me? Did the little guy and the king get left at a rest stop?"
Daichi let out a heavy, long-suffering sigh. "Supplementary exams. They'll be here as soon as they're done."
Ryuu grinned, spinning the ball on his finger. "Exams? Man, that's rough. I almost forgot school was a thing we had to do. Tell them if they don't show up soon, I'm going to start teaching Lev their quick attack."
"Like he could ever learn it," Yaku shouted from across the court.
"Hey!" Lev protested.
..
During a long water break, the heat in the Shinzen gym was becoming oppressive. Ryuu was draped in a damp towel, watching the Karasuno managers navigate the crowded sideline.
Tanaka and Nishinoya were currently locked in a heated debate about "rolling thunders," completely ignoring the massive, heavy cooler Yachi and Shimizu were trying to hoist onto a folding table.
Ryuu didn't wait for them to struggle. He walked over, his stride relaxed, and gripped the heavy handle before Shimizu could strain herself.
"Whoa, easy there," Ryuu said, lifting the cooler with a grunt of effort. "This thing feels like it's full of lead. You guys packing gold bars in here or something?"
Shimizu looked up, adjusting her glasses. "Just extra ice. The heat is worse than we expected. Thank you, Gojou-kun."
"No problem," Ryuu said, sliding it onto the table and making sure the legs were stable. He didn't walk away immediately; instead, he leaned against the table, wiping some sweat off his hands.
"You should really put those two to work," he nodded toward Tanaka and Nishinoya.
"They've been so excited since they got off the bus. Giving them something heavy to carry might actually calm them down."
Shimizu looked over at her teammates and let out a very faint, almost invisible sigh.
"I think they'd just end up turning it into a competition and spilling the water everywhere."
Ryuu barked a short laugh.
"Fair point. I guess 'safe' is better than 'fast' with those guys."
He looked at the smaller manager, Yachi, who was looking at him like he was a giant from a fairy tale.
"Don't worry. I don't bite unless there's a ball in the air."
"I-I'm Hitoka Yachi! Congratulations on winning!" she squeaked, bowing so fast she almost hit the table.
Ryuu grinned, looking back at Shimizu. "The news travels fast, huh? I was hoping I could still pretend to be the underdog for at least one day of camp."
"It's hard to be the underdog when you're on the cover of Volleyball Monthly," Shimizu noted calmly.
"The team was watching your final match in the club room. You've definitely become a person of interest for our guys."
"A person of interest? Sounds like I'm a criminal," Ryuu teased, crossing his arms. "But hey, tell them not to overthink it. If they spend the whole game looking at me, they're going to miss the ball. "
Shimizu gave a small, respectful nod. "I'll be sure to pass that along. I think they'll find their rhythm once the two arrive."
"Good. I'm counting on it." Ryuu straightened up as the whistle blew for the next set of matches. "See you around, Shimizu-san. Try to stay in the shade."
He jogged back to the Nekoma court, ignoring the fact that Tanaka and Nishinoya looked like they were ready to explode from pure, concentrated jealousy.
..
12:30 PM.
The gym doors didn't just open; they practically exploded.
"WE MADE IT!"
Hinata and Kageyama stood in the doorway, looking like they had just survived a natural disaster. They were panting, covered in sweat, and looked completely wired.
The whole gym went quiet for a second. Ryuu was sitting on the floor, leaning against the bench as he sipped his water. He looked up, a slow, cheeky grin spreading across his face.
"Look what the cat dragged in," Ryuu called out, not even bothering to stand up yet. "I was about to put your pictures on a milk carton, kids."
Hinata's head snapped toward him. His eyes locked onto Ryuu, and for a second, he looked intimidated—but then he saw Ryuu's stupid, teasing grin and his competitive fire flared up.
"Gojou!" Hinata shouted, pointing at him. "I'm going to beat you today! I don't care about the medal!"
Ryuu stood up slowly, stretching his back until it cracked. He walked to the net, looking down at Hinata with a wink.
"Sure you are, Chibi-chan. But maybe catch your breath first? You look like you're about to pass out, and I'd hate for my win to be that easy."
He patted the top of the net tape.
"Come on then. Let's see if you guys actually studied, or if you just got lucky with the guesses."